Rockford police: Cold weather slowed February crime

ROCKFORD — A frigid winter may have kept crime at bay so far in 2014 with major crime categories showing significant decreases compared with last year in Rockford.

That trend is unlikely to last as the winter thaws and spring takes hold, officials said during the Rockford Police Department’s monthly Compstat police management meeting.

Deputy Chief David Hopkins said Rockford Police Department officers will be ready to combat a seasonal increase in crime.

“It happens almost every year when the weather begins to break,” Hopkins said.

Shots fired in Rockford were down 36.2 percent to 37 through February compared with 58 last year. Burglaries are down nearly 40 percent to 74 year to date 2014, robberies are down 43 percent to 37 and auto theft is down 45.5 percent to 55.

So far in 2014, less crime including burglaries and robberies seems to be the silver lining around a snowy and colder winter.

“The weather is playing a big factor in keeping it down,” Lt. John Eau Claire said.

License plate thefts

Police don’t know why thieves are stealing license plates. They aren’t being used during the commission of crimes, police said. There are few known instances of license plate sticker thefts.

But there were 15 license plate thefts in February and police are urging motorists to make sure their plates are secure.

Fleeing police

Rockford police policy is not to chase drivers suspected of traffic violations.

But of the 44 vehicles used to flee from officers February, Eau Claire said 22 were found by police officers and impounded. Owners must pay fines and fees for impounding and storage, and are often charged with fleeing from police.